® CABLE RAIL INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS OVERVIEW................................................................2 LEVEL........................................................................3 STAIR........................................................................
ENGLISH Need a little help installing your railing? www.rdirail.com/support/installation-videos.html CABLE RAIL Warning: Always wear safety goggles. Transform Cable Rail MUST be installed on 4" x 4" wooden posts sleeved with Transform post sleeves to support cable tension! Transform is designed to exceed the most stringent building codes. For most installations everything you need is in the box.
ENGLISH Read all instructions prior to installing product. Refer to local building codes for installation requirements; failure to install this product in accordance with building codes may affect safety of the product and void product warranty. Refer to manufacturers safety instructions when operating any tools. COMPONENT LIST | LEVEL APPLICATION Depending on the level kit and kit length that you’ve purchased, your component list will vary. Use this as a guide to identify the individual components.
ENGLISH PREPARE POSTS Transform Cable Rail MUST be installed on 4" x 4" wooden posts sleeved with Transform post sleeves to support cable tension! 1. 2. 3. Prepare all posts and mounting surfaces before installation. If using a trim ring, be sure to install trim ring prior to attaching your cable and/or fastening bottom beam (optional).
ENGLISH 4. 5. 6. Using a 7 ∕32" drill bit for common redwood posts or a 15 ∕64" drill bit for Douglas Fir posts, drill at least 1½" deep into your posts where you’ve marked for the cable fittings (Fig. 5, top image). On the opposite post for your cable span, drill a hole for the extended lag (at the pencil marks made in Step 2) at least 1½" deep into the wood post. For common redwood posts, use a 7 ∕ 32" drill bit and for common Douglas Fir posts, use a 15 ∕64" drill bit (Fig. 6, top image).
ENGLISH LEVEL RAIL WITH BOTTOM BEAM (OPTIONAL) 7. 8. 9. Measure the finished opening space between posts (Fig. 8) and cut the bottom rail, bottom beam, and top beam (components B, C, & D) to match this measurement (Fig. 9). Insert mounting brackets (component G) in each end of bottom beam if using, (component C) and top beam (component D) (Fig. 10). Align the bottom beam with the marks determined in Step 2. Tip: Use a miter saw with a carbide tip blade of at least 60 teeth.
ENGLISH 10. 11. Cut the bottom rail support (component I) to the bottom space determined in Step 2 and place it under the bottom beam at the center point (Fig. 14). The mid-baluster support is REQUIRED for cable spans over 42"; center the support in your cable span. If installing a section larger than 6', evenly space the two rail supports along the span of the bottom rail. Pre-drill using a ¼" drill bit through the beam (Fig. 15).
ENGLISH INSTALL TOP RAIL (ALL APPLICATIONS) 12. 13. 14. The mid-baluster support is REQUIRED for cable spans over 42"; center the support in your cable span. Align the top beam with the marks made in Step 2, ensuring the bottom of the top beam rests squarely on your mid-baluster support. WITHOUT OPTIONAL BOTTOM RAIL Secure the upper bracket & beam to the post using 6 mounting screws (component K), 3 per bracket (Fig. 22). Begin with the bottom center screw as shown to avoid misalignment.
ENGLISH 15. 16. 17. If needed, an additional rail stiffener (component F) can be purchased separately, and installed in top rail (component A) as shown below. Fasten the top beam to the mid-baluster support by screwing down from the inside channel of the top beam through the holes pre-drilled in Step 11 using #10 x 1" screws (component S) (Fig. 27). Snap the top rail (component A) onto the top beam (component D).
ENGLISH INSTALLING CABLE 18. 19. 20. Place your stationary lags (component P) into the holes drilled in Step 4 and drive the lag thread into the post using a 3/8" open-end wrench on the wrench flats on the fitting. The fitting is secure when the shoulder of the fitting makes contact with the wooden post (Fig. 30). Repeat for all stationary lags. All cable cut ends must be clean and burr free. We recommend a Felco type cutter that encircles the cable as it cuts it.
ENGLISH 21. 22. Loosen the tensioner so that approximately 5 or 6 threads are showing and then push the cable into the fitting, rotating the fitting in the direction shown (Fig. 36). Once the cable has bottomed out in the fitting, pull the cable away from the post to help set the locking mechanism to lock the cable into the fitting (Fig. 37). Tension the cable by holding the cable-gripping portion of the fitting stationary (Fig.
ENGLISH COMPONENT LIST | STAIR APPLICATION Depending on the kit you’ve purchased, your component list will vary. Use this as a guide to identify the individual components.
ENGLISH Read all instructions prior to installing product. Refer to local building codes for installation requirements; failure to install this product in accordance with building codes may affect safety of the product and void product warranty. Refer to manufacturers safety instructions when operating any tools. CABLE RAIL | STAIR APPLICATION Warning: Always wear safety goggles.
ENGLISH PREPARING POSTS Transform Cable Rail MUST be installed on 4" x 4" wooden posts sleeved with Transform post sleeves to support cable tension! 1. 2. 3. Prepare all posts and mounting surfaces before installation. If using a trim ring, be sure to install trim ring prior to attaching your cable and/or fastening bottom beam. Temporarily secure a plank on the nose of the stairs along side of the posts onto which you are installing the stair rail (Fig. 1).
ENGLISH PREPARING POSTS 4. 5. 6. Determine placement of your top beam (component D). Make a mark at 33 3 ∕8" from deck surface for 36" finished rail height or 39 3 ∕8" from deck surface for 42" finished rail height. The mid-baluster support (component E) is REQUIRED for cable spans over 42". Using your cut mid-baluster support as a template, line it up at the top and bottom of your stair posts and mark your holes using a pencil (Fig. 7).
ENGLISH INSTALLING CABLE FITTINGS 7. 8. 9. Using a 7 ∕32" drill bit for common redwood posts or a 15 ∕64" drill bit for Douglas Fir posts, pre-drill at least 1½" deep into your posts where you’ve marked for the cable fittings (Fig. 9, top image). On the opposite post for your cable span, drill a hole for the extended lag (at the pencil marks made from your mid-baluster support) at least 1½" deep into the wood post.
ENGLISH INSTALLING BOTTOM BEAM & BOTTOM RAIL 10. 11. 12. Wrap enough masking tape around the bracket (Fig. 13) to allow it to fit snugly into the end of the beam. Slide the bracket into the end of the bottom beam. Align brackets with angle marked on beam (Fig. 14) so that when the cut is made, the entire face of the bracket is cut but as little material is removed as possible. With brackets secured into bottom beam, cut through the beam and bracket together on the marked line (Fig.
ENGLISH PREPARING BOTTOM RAIL & TOP BEAM 13. 14. 15. Cut your bottom rail to the length and angle using the marks made in Step 4 (Fig. 20). Wrap enough masking tape around the brackets to allow them to fit snugly into the ends of the top beam. Slide the brackets into the ends of the top beam. Align brackets with angle marked on beam (Fig. 21) so that when the cut is made, the entire face of the bracket is cut but as little material is removed as possible.
ENGLISH INSTALLING MID BALUSTER SUPPORT 16. 17. 18. Using the mid-baluster support foot (component O) as a template, center the support foot on your marks (made in Step 6), and mark the holes in your bottom rail and top beam (Fig. 24). These marks are where your mid-baluster support connects to the top beam and bottom rail. Using a 3/16" drill bit, pre-drill the holes in your top beam and bottom rail (Fig. 25).
ENGLISH INSTALLING TOP RAIL 19. 20. 21. Using a 1/8" drill bit, pre-drill downward through the top beam and bracket (Fig. 30). Snap the top rail (component A) onto the top beam (component D) by applying downward pressure. Work from the bottom of the stair to the top end of the rail until the full length of the cover locks into place (Fig. 31 & Fig. 32). Using the painted screws (component M) install two of the screws upward from underneath each end through the pre-drilled location (Fig. 33).
ENGLISH INSTALLING CABLE 22. 23. All cable cut ends must be clean and burr free. We recommend a Felco type cutter that encircles the cable as it cuts it. When inserting a cut end of the cable into fittings, it is important to rotate the cable and/or fitting in the direction that is “with the lay” of the strand to avoid “unraveling” the cable strands. Once the cable is locked into one end of the fitting, feed the other end through the midbaluster support (required for cable spans over 42" long) (Fig.
ENGLISH INSTALLING CABLE 24. 25. Loosen the tensioner so that approximately 5 or 6 threads are showing and then push the cable into the fitting, twisting the fitting in the direction shown in figure 40. Once the cable has bottomed out in the fitting, pull the cable away from the post to help set the locking mechanism to lock the cable into the fitting (Fig. 41). Tension the cable by holding the cable-gripping portion of the fitting stationary (Fig.
ENGLISH CABLE RAIL | STAIR APPLICATION Warning: Always wear safety goggles. Transform Cable Rail MUST be installed on 4" x 4" wooden posts sleeved with Transform post sleeves to support cable tension! It is RECOMMENDED to install Cable Stair Rail with the Transform bottom beam. If NOT using bottom beam, it is important to note that your installation will vary depending on placement of posts, stair rise and run, stair angle, and bottom space.
ENGLISH INSTALLING WITH NO BOTTOM RAIL If not using bottom rail, follow these general guidelines for installing cable rail without bottom rail. For 36" finished height, 10 fittings will be used per post, for 42" finished height, 12 fittings will be used. Your installation may vary based on stair angle and post placement. 1. 2. 3. Prepare all posts and mounting surfaces before installation. If using a trim ring, be sure to install trim ring prior to attaching your cable and/or fastening bottom beam.
ENGLISH MID BALUSTER SUPPORT (NO BOTTOM RAIL) 4. 5. 6. Take your mid-baluster support, cut to length, and place in the middle of your cable span. Move the support along the tread of the step so that the top of it meets your top beam (Fig. 4). This placement will vary based on stair angle. Make a mark on your top beam where the midbaluster support is centered (Fig. 5). Un-clamp your top beam.
ENGLISH INSTALLING CABLE FITTINGS 7. 8. 9. Using a 7 ∕32" drill bit for common redwood posts or a 15 ∕64" drill bit for Douglas Fir posts, pre-drill at least 1½" deep into your posts where you’ve marked for the cable fittings (Fig. 9, top image). On the opposite post for your cable span, drill a hole for the extended lag (at the pencil marks made from your mid-baluster support) at least 1½" deep into the wood post.
ENGLISH MID BALUSTER SUPPORT (NO BOTTOM RAIL) 10. 11. 12. Wrap enough masking tape around the brackets to allow them to fit snugly into the ends of the beam. Slide the brackets into the ends of the top beam. Align brackets with angle marked on beam (Fig. 13) so that when the cut is made, the entire face of the bracket is cut but as little material is removed as possible. With brackets secured into top beam, cut through the beam and bracket together on the marked line made in Step 2 (Fig.
ENGLISH 13. 14. Position the top beam (with attached midbaluster support) between posts to ensure proper alignment (Fig. 18). Pre-drill the post for the center bracket screw using a 1/8" drill bit. Secure the brackets to the post using 3 mounting screws (component K) in each bracket, beginning with the center screw hole (Fig. 19). Secure the mid-baluster support to your deck surface using #8 x 1.5” screws (component T) (Fig. 20). (Fig. 18) (Fig. 19) (Fig.
ENGLISH INSTALLING TOP RAIL 15. 16. 17. Using a 1/8" drill bit, pre-drill downward through the top beam and bracket (Fig. 21). Snap the top rail (component A) onto the top beam (component D) by applying downward pressure. Work from the bottom of the stair to the top end of the rail until the full length of the cover locks into place (Fig. 22 & Fig. 23). Using the painted screws (component M) install two of the screws upward from underneath each end through the pre-drilled location (Fig. 24).
ENGLISH INSTALLING CABLE 17. 18. 19. All cable cut ends must be clean and burr free. We recommend a Felco type cutter that encircles the cable as it cuts it. When inserting a cut end of the cable into fittings, it is important to rotate the cable and/or fitting in the direction that is “with the lay” of the strand to avoid “unraveling” the cable strands.
20. Tension the cable by holding the cable-gripping portion of the fitting stationary (Fig. 32 – a), using a 3/8" wrench as you rotate the female threaded portion of the fitting with a separate 3/8" wrench (Fig. 32 – b). Tension all the cables to desired amount in sequence, beginning with the bottom cable, then the top, then second up from the bottom, then second down from the top and so forth (Fig. 33). Number of cable runs will be determined by finished rail height and optional use of bottom rail.
To obtain and review a copy of the warranty please go to: www.rdirail.com/warranty. You can also contact 877.420.7245 or write to: Warranty Registration - RDI, 545 Tilton Road, Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215 to obtain a copy of the warranty. Need a little help installing your railing? www.rdirail.com/support/installation-videos.html FOR HOME, FOR LIFE® 545 TILTON ROAD EGG HARBOR CITY, NJ 08215 TEL: (877) 420-7245 FAX: (866) 277-5160 E-MAIL: CS@RDIRAIL.COM URL: WWW.RDIRAIL.COM TM 34107784 REV.
